The university – by means of the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (bhive EDC), provided vital business related training to entrepreneurs located in the region with a specific focus on enterprises providing goods and/or services as consumed within the steel industry (AMSA). The training took place over a period of seven months and saw 17 small business owners taking part in the initiative.
The following selection criteria was set for participation:
- Start-up enterprises or businesses trading for a period of no more than four years.
- Must provide goods and/or services to the steel industry.
- Envisioned turnover of enterprises must be less than R1,5 million per annum.
- Typical full-time staff component must not exceed five individuals (including the owner).
Participants had the opportunity to pitch their respective business ventures to a panel of business experts and consultants, including the likes of: Mr Freddie Swart (AMSA Group Manager: Transformation), Mr Johann Landsberg (Manager: bhive EDC), Mr Junior Mthimkhulu (Centre for Continuing Professional Development – or CCPD), Ms Leonie Greyling (Aequis Consulting, South Africa), Dr Vic Herbst (Community leader) and Ms Natanya Meyer (NWU Vaal, School of Economic Sciences).
* The short course was administered and coordinated by CCPD on the Vanderbijlpark Campus and carries a NQF-level 5 weight.
One of the small business owners pitching his business idea to the panel.
